Born in Rockledge, Fla., Scott Thompson did his first stand-up routine while a freshman in college. These days, the redheaded comic goes by the moniker Carrot Top. The 46-year-old comedian and actor has a multiyear deal with the Luxor Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, where this fall he will perform his 1,500th show. "I live in Las Vegas, where we've got gambling, smoking and prostitution," jokes Carrot Top. "Bring the kids!" Read more atcarrottop.com.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A. I have a home in Orlando. That's kind of my default "getaway" city. I get about 10 weeks a year off from my gig at the Luxor, so that's where you'll mostly find me.

Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A. I like to go up to Mount Charleston (in Nevada) or up to Big Bear (in California) to get some snow fun. I love to snowboard.

Q: What are your favorite hotels?

A. When I'm in Los Angeles, I always stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel (beverly

hillshotel.com). It's so historic and you never know who you're going to run into there. When I'm in New York I love to stay at The London Hotel (thelondonnyc.com). They really take care of you there, and it's within walking distance of just about everything.

Q: What are your five favorite cities?

A. In no particular order I'd have to say Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando and Cabo San Lucas. I just recently visited the last one, and it was amazing.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been?

A: It would be to Europe, just to travel all over and see everything historic that there is to see. Paris, Rome and London would be must-see destinations.

Q: What are your favorite restaurants?

A: In Vegas it's definitely Rick Moonen's RM Seafood (tinyurl.com/425xyhe) and Rao's restaurant (raos.com/raos-restaurant-las-vegas.aspx). In Los Angeles, I'd have to say it is Nobu (noburestaurants.com/los-angeles/experience/introduction). New York — it is impossible to pick one place. Even all the pizza places are amazing.

Q: What do you enjoy doing on the road?

A: Believe it or not I like to just walk around and experience the city that I'm in. I love to shop, especially in retro stores. I have about a million pairs of old-school sports shoes like Adidas, so that's probably my biggest vice.

Q: What kind of research do you do before you go on a trip?

A: Other than finding a restaurant or two, that's about it. I love to explore. That's probably my favorite thing to do is just get out in the streets and find cool things on my own.

Q: What is your best vacation memory?

A: The most recent one to Cabo San Lucas. It was so peaceful just to lounge around for a few days. The weather is perfect. It was my first time there. I will definitely go back there the next time I have a chance.

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